LEAL Team
Equipo LEAL
Leadership, Equity and Access for Languages (LEAL) Team
The LEAL Project Leadership Team at San Diego State University (SDSU) in partnership with San Diego State University Global Campus, San Diego County Office of Education Multilingual Education and Global Achievement, and WestEd, strives to lead and meet the needs of LEAL Project Certificate Program participants from the four participating local education agencies: San Ysidro School District, Calexico Unified School District, San Diego Unified School District and Chula Vista Learning Community Charter School.
Associate Vice President
SDSU International Affairs
Co-Director, Project LEAL
Dr. Cristina Alfaro is the Associate Vice President for International Affairs at San Diego State University. She earned her Ph.D. in International Teacher Preparation for Multilingual Learners from the Claremont/SDSU Joint Doctoral Program, and received her Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees from SDSU in Policy Studies in Multilingual and Multicultural Education and Liberal Studies, respectively. Prior to her current role, she served as SDSU’s Inaugural Provost Chair for Faculty Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and as Chair of the Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education, in the College of Education, where she championed and led the model for the largest bilingual teacher education program in California.
Full description can be found here: https://provost.sdsu.edu/academic-affairs/associate-vice-presidents/alfaro-cristina
Associate Professor
SDSU Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education
Co-Director, Project LEAL
Saúl Isaac Maldonado is an Associate Professor in the Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education at San Diego State University; co-director of the American Evaluation Association GEDI Scholars Program; research associate at the Center for Equity and Biliteracy Education Research; co-director of the Developing Effective Bilingual Educators with Resources and Leadership, Equity and Access for Languages projects; and co-editor of the volume, Assessment and Evaluation in Bilingual Education (2022).
Director, Project LEAL
Elva De Baca is a Retired Educator and Director for Project LEAL at San Diego State University Global Campus. Elva has been an unwavering advocate for multi-language learners in her various roles throughout her career with San Ysidro School District. She has been key to bringing Spanish language and culturally appropriate curriculum to students nationwide. Elva has shared her Dual Language strategies as a presenter for CABE. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from University of San Diego, and her Masters in Education with an emphasis on Administration from Azusa Pacific University.
Professional Development Coordinator, Project LEAL
Laura Serrano-Durán is a Retired School Director and Consultant for Project LEAL at San Diego State University Global Campus. Her credentials include a Bilingual, Crosscultural, Language and Academic Development Credential and an Administrative Services Credential. She received her Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees from SDSU in Education and in Liberal Studies, respectively. Her work has focused on leading and developing equitable bilingual learning educational programs.
Executive Assistant to the Associate Vice President
SDSU International Affairs
Project Manager, Project LEAL
Peer Navigator, Project LEAL
Oscar Godoy is a dedicated bilingual educator who brings his passion for language and culture to the classroom as a teacher at a local charter school in San Diego, California. With his bilingual credentials from San Diego State University (DLE) and years of experience, Oscar creates a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where students thrive academically and linguistically. He is committed to fostering a love for learning while celebrating diversity and making a positive impact on the lives of his students every day. Oscar is a passionate advocate for bilingualism and a firm believer in the power of education to drive social change.
Bilingual Administrative Support Coordinator, DEBER Project
Budget Coordinator, Project LEAL
Linda E. Sotelo is a bilingual administrative coordinator for a few grants at SDSU Research Foundation. Linda earned her M.Ed. in Higher Education with Counseling Specialization from Houston Christian University (formerly Houston Baptist University). Linda has more than 18 years of experience supporting program managers, deans, and vp’s in the management of existing programs and the launching and development of new programs.